American expansion westward

Definition

American expansion westward refers to the 19th-century movement of settlers and the United States government towards the western territories, driven by the belief in Manifest Destiny. This ideology promoted the idea that Americans were destined to expand across North America, influencing various social, economic, and political developments during this era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the United States, facilitating westward expansion by providing vast territories for settlement.
2. The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) was commissioned to explore the newly acquired lands, mapping routes and establishing relationships with Native American tribes.
3. The concept of Manifest Destiny was widely accepted and used to justify the annexation of Texas and the war with Mexico (1846-1848), which resulted in further territorial gains.
4. Railroads, such as the Transcontinental Railroad completed in 1869, played a crucial role in facilitating migration and trade, connecting the eastern and western parts of the country.
5. Westward expansion often resulted in violent conflicts with Native American tribes, leading to numerous battles and policies aimed at their removal from their lands.

Review Questions

• How did the ideology of Manifest Destiny influence American expansion westward and affect various communities?
  • Manifest Destiny played a key role in motivating American settlers to move westward, fostering a sense of entitlement among Americans to claim land regardless of existing inhabitants. This belief not only justified territorial acquisition but also led to the displacement and suffering of Native American tribes who inhabited these lands. As communities expanded into western territories, they often encountered resistance from indigenous peoples, resulting in conflicts that would shape future U.S. policies regarding land ownership and sovereignty.
• Evaluate the impact of legislation like the Homestead Act on westward migration and its social consequences.
  • The Homestead Act had a profound impact on westward migration by offering settlers 160 acres of land at little cost, which encouraged many families to move west in search of opportunities. While this act facilitated agricultural development and population growth in western territories, it also contributed to significant social consequences, including increased tensions between settlers and Native Americans whose lands were being encroached upon. The influx of settlers led to a transformation of landscapes and communities but also created an environment rife with conflict over land rights.
• Analyze how westward expansion shaped American identity during the 19th century, considering its economic, social, and political dimensions.
  • Westward expansion significantly shaped American identity by promoting values of individualism, self-reliance, and opportunity. Economically, it spurred growth through agriculture and mining, establishing new markets and wealth generation. Socially, it led to diverse communities forming while simultaneously marginalizing Native American populations and other groups. Politically, this movement fueled debates over slavery's expansion into new territories, setting the stage for sectional conflicts that ultimately culminated in the Civil War. The complex interplay of these dimensions solidified a national narrative centered around progress and destiny.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny:

A 19th-century doctrine that justified American territorial expansion across the continent, based on the belief that it was a divine right and duty of the United States.

Homestead Act:

A law passed in 1862 that provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, encouraging westward migration and settlement.

Trail of Tears:

The forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River, resulting in significant suffering and loss of life.